Multiverse's Ghost Rider

The sun was setting over Brooklyn, casting long shadows that danced on the cracked pavement. Jon and the Punisher emerged from the dimly lit grocery store, their silhouettes merging with the twilight. Jon turned to his companion, his voice echoing in the quiet street, "I don't think anyone in Brooklyn knows Hood's gang better than you. I need to know all his strongholds in New York and destroy them one by one!"

The Punisher, a man of few words, nodded. His eyes, cold and unyielding, reflected the dying light. "Alright," he said, his voice gravelly from years of shouting orders and threats. He clapped the black package in his hand, the sound echoing in the empty street. "I have destroyed the two strongholds I know, and now I need to reach their re-established stronghold."

Jon's eyebrows furrowed, his mind racing with the implications. "Then when will we act?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Tonight!" The Punisher's response was immediate, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Jon's eyes widened in surprise. "What, tonight?" He stammered, taken aback by the Punisher's urgency. He had assumed that the Punisher would need time to plan, to strategize. But the Punisher was a man of action, and a few hours was too long for him.

The Punisher turned to him, his gaze piercing. "Is there a problem?" he asked, his voice devoid of emotion.

Jon hesitated, his mind torn between his duty and his family. "Well, I have to have spent some time with my family tonight! So I'm afraid it will be later!" He confessed, his voice filled with regret.

The word "family" seemed to soften the Punisher's hardened exterior. His cold face rarely showed a trace of warmth, but at that moment, it did. He breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Yes, you really need to spend more time with your family! I'll be here waiting for you at twelve o'clock tonight!"

With that, the Punisher climbed into his black van, the engine roaring to life. Before he drove off, he rolled down the windows, gestured to Jon, and said, "Good luck!" His voice was filled with a rare warmth, a testament to the bond they had formed.

As the van disappeared into the night, Jon was left standing alone in the dimly lit street. He looked up at the sky, the stars beginning to twinkle in the dark expanse. He knew that the night ahead would be long and dangerous, but he was ready. He was ready to fight.

***

As the evening descended, Jon found himself in the comforting presence of his family. He sat across from Annie and Ayla at the dinner table, their laughter and chatter filling the room with warmth. The aroma of the home-cooked meal lingered in the air, a stark contrast to the danger that lurked outside their home. Once the meal was over and the dishes were cleared, Jon watched as Annie and Ayla succumbed to the lull of sleep, their peaceful faces a stark reminder of what he was fighting for.

Annie had been through a lot recently. The terror of Jon's near-death experience in the subway attack, the shock of Chris being shot, and the heart-wrenching fear when Chris was kidnapped. And then, the tragic death of Alberton. It was too much for any person to bear, let alone an ordinary woman like Annie. She was at her limit, her body and mind strained to the breaking point. She had resorted to sleeping pills, a desperate attempt to escape the nightmares that haunted her.

Meanwhile, the Punisher was already at their agreed meeting place. He parked his black truck by the side of the road, the streetlight casting an eerie glow on the vehicle. He checked his watch, his face a mask of boredom. Suddenly, a figure materialized behind him. It was Jon.

"You're late!" The Punisher's voice cut through the silence, his tone sharp.

"Sorry, my cousin needs to be taken care of recently!" Jon's voice was filled with regret, his family's safety was always at the forefront of his mind.

The Punisher's gaze hardened. "Was it the Hood's gang's doing?" he asked, his voice cold.

"Yes!" Jon's response was immediate, his anger palpable.

"Then let's go, let's wipe out the bastards!" The Punisher's words were filled with determination. He strode towards his truck, motioning for Jon to follow.

Jon climbed into the passenger seat, his heart pounding in his chest. The Punisher started the engine, the roar of the vehicle echoing in the quiet street.

"I found a drug manufacturing den, which may be related to Hood's gang!" The Punisher's voice was devoid of emotion, his focus solely on their mission.

As they drove off into the night, Jon couldn't help but think of Annie and Ayla, sleeping peacefully at home. He knew that he was doing this for them, for their safety.

***

In the heart of the city, hidden amidst the labyrinth of industrial buildings, a factory hummed with activity. Workers, their faces masked and hands gloved, moved with mechanical precision, processing and packaging the illicit substances. Supervisors patrolled the floor, their stern gazes ensuring the smooth operation of the drug manufacturing den. This was one of the many industries under the control of Hood's gang.

Suddenly, a man descended the staircase, his black round hat casting a shadow over his disfigured face. The workers froze, their hearts pounding in their chests. He was a terrifying figure, his face a grotesque puzzle of scars and stitches. This was Jigsaw, a name that sent shivers down the spines of even the most hardened criminals.

Without warning, a black van crashed through the factory doors, the deafening noise echoing through the building. Jigsaw turned towards the intrusion, a smirk playing on his lips. "Hello, old friend! Long time no see!" he called out, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

The Punisher stepped out of the van, his gaze locked on Jigsaw. "Billy Russo, I clearly killed you!" he growled, his voice echoing in the now silent factory.

"That's right, so I'm here to seek your revenge now!" Jigsaw retorted, raising his pistol. The Punisher responded in kind, his M16 aimed squarely at Jigsaw.

"Calm down, Frank!" A new voice joined the standoff. Jon, clad in a leather jacket and heavy chain, stepped out of the van. Ignoring Jigsaw's taunts, he addressed the Punisher. "Parker Robbins, Hood's gang's head has the ability to bring the dead back to life. That's why Jigsaw and Mad Jim are alive again."

Jigsaw's eyes narrowed at Jon's words. "Who are you?!" he demanded, his voice filled with suspicion.

Jon ignored him, his focus on the Punisher. "I know Robbins' ability, but I don't know his power or his strongholds. That's why I needed your help!" he explained. Turning to Jigsaw, he added, "But don't worry, Parker can't bring back the person I killed! So leave that person to me!"

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

With that, Jon advanced towards Jigsaw. Despite Jigsaw's threats and gunshots, Jon continued to move forward, unfazed. The Punisher watched in amusement as Jigsaw's bullets proved useless against Jon.

Jigsaw's face paled as Jon approached, his fear evident. He ordered his men to shoot, but Jon was unfazed. He transformed into dozens of flame balls, his fire chain piercing through the gangsters, reducing them to ashes.

Jon grabbed Jigsaw by the collar, his body bursting into flames as he transformed into his Spirit of Vengeance form. Jigsaw's eyes widened in horror. "You...you are...the Flaming Skeleton?" he stammered.

The Ghost Rider paused, his flaming skull tilting in confusion. "Who?!" he asked, his voice echoing in the silent factory.

Jigsaw explained, "Flaming Skeleton! Don't you know your nickname? We've called you that since the last time you rode a flaming monster down the street from the sky!"

Ghost Rider's flames flared up, his anger palpable. He lifted Jigsaw off the ground, his voice booming in the factory. "Let's not even talk about your sins! Just because of your taste in naming, killing you ten thousand times won't be enough!"

Jigsaw's pleas were cut short as Ghost Rider's hellfire engulfed him, his screams echoing in the factory. The Punisher watched in silence, a grim satisfaction on his face. They had taken down one stronghold, but there were many more to go. And with Jon, the Ghost Rider, by his side, he was ready to take them all down.

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A/N: I know this work is still very new, but your opinions matter a lot to my progress, please write a review 🙏.

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